There can be few athletes who have left a larger imprint on their sport than Roger Federer. The Swiss maestro has reigned supreme over men's tennis for over a decade, collecting a record seventeen Grand slams and spending four consecutive years as world No1.

This period of ruthless domination means that any conversation about all-time tennis greats has to include Federer. Federer's rivalries with the pretenders to his crown – most notably Rafael Nadal – ignited a new golden age for the sport.

Being the greatest is not all about records – even though Federer wins on that count regardless. Federer overtaking the more pragmatic Pete Sampras was seen as confirmation of Swiss's supernatural talents. He has bewitched the watching world throughout his career, and has driven his competitors to new heights to shake him from the summit.

In the 15 years that Federer has swaggered through the sport, men's tennis has mutated from an uncompromising battle of big serving into a sport dominated by flair, fitness and nerve. His personal highlights reel demonstrates his immense contribution – supernatural driven lobs, unfeasible clipped backhand winners and Federer hitting a clean winner through his own legs, facing away from the court. Twice.

It is on the greatest stage against his fiercest rivals that Federer has truly taken competitive tennis to another plain. Witness the surgical backhand winner against Nadal in the epic 2008 Wimbledon final – facing championship point, no less. In another highlight, a youthful Federer defies physics to waft a return beyond a disbelieving Andy Roddick.

The American, a fine player denied greatness by Federer's rise, recorded just three wins in 24 against the Swiss. As the ball sails past him, Roddick shakes his head ruefully at what he's just witnessed. It was a look he, and all who have faced Federer at the top of his game, would repeat a hundred times over.